Wednesday, February 9, 2011

In Cairo, protesters left the Tahrir Square to Parliament

Hundreds of protesters tried, Wednesday, February 9, block access to parliament in Cairo, still very mobilized to bring down the regime of Hosni Mubarak. Parliament, dominated by the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) of Mr Mubarak, was protected by soldiers and tanks, but no violence had erupted Wednesday morning. The protesters sat in front of the building to block the entrance, near Tahrir Square in the center of the capital occupied for nearly two weeks. "We came here to prevent members from entering the PND. We will stay until our demands are met or we will die here," said Mohammed Abdullah, 25, while the crowd chanted anti-Mubarak slogans and waving Egyptian flags. "The people did not elect the parliament," said Mohammed Sobhi, a 19 year old student. "We want the downfall of the entire regime, not just the president, because everything is corrupt underneath him." MOBILIZATION STILL VERY STRONG Protesters on Tahrir Square in Cairo did not seem to want to let go Wednesday at sixteenth day of revolt and its aftermath a new monster mobilization against Hosni Mubarak, maintaining pressure for political changes in Egypt. On this roundabout has become a symbol of the protest movement, the thousands of protesters present at all times promise not to yield. By early afternoon Wednesday, a dense crowd waving Egyptian flags were already gathered and other protesters converged on the site. "There can be no negotiations as long as Mubarak is not starting," said one protester, lawyer of 35 years. In an attempt at appeasement, Mr. Mubarak, 82 years, including almost thirty head of state, announced the creation of a commission to amend the Constitution, under the "national dialogue" began Sunday between government and opposition, including for the first time, the Muslim Brotherhood, bete noire of the regime so far. The President also promised not to seek re-election in September, but these promises have not convinced the naysayers who always demand the immediate departure of Mr Mubarak.